Living and working with an equalised energy balance

Strategies and experiences from the perspective of planners and users
Net zero energy buildings, equilibrium buildings or carbon neutral cities – depending on location and the reasons for making the calculation, the numbers are run differently. The variety of terms in use indicates that a scientific method is still lacking – which is a problem not just in regard to international communication, but also with respect to planning processes as a response to energy challenges. The clarification and meaning of the most important terms in use is extremely important for their implementation.

Since October 2008, a panel of experts from an international energy agency has concerned itself with these topics as part of a project entitled “Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings”. The objective is to analyse exemplary buildings that are near a zero-energy balance in order to develop methods and tools for the planning, design and operation of such buildings. The results are documented in this publication: In addition to the presentation of select projects, it is not just architectural showcase projects that are shown – the focus is on relaying knowledge and experience gained by planners and builders.

Even if many questions remain unanswered: Project examples that have already been implemented prove on a practical basis that the objective of a zero energy balance is already possible today.

- Representation of a comprehensive balancing methodology
- Explanation and usage contexts of crucial terminology
- Energy balancing in building practice
- Implementation examples of zero energy and plus energy buildings
- Typology-oriented cross-sectional views of international projects

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